Thoughts of Spring Blog Party!

The ever lovely Lynnette Kraft is hosting an absolutely fabulous blog party over at her amazing site! You should join. Really. Go, go, go! Write your post and link up! It's bound to be loads of fun -- and did I mention that there are some sweeeeeeet giveaway items? Mhm...Head on over! You'll thank me. And on that note...here are my answers to the fun questions she posted. First up though, a little intro to those who DON'T know me!

My name is Hannah -- I'm a teenaged gal who spends her time (er, mine) taking pictures, writing, laughing, singing, ballet dancing, playing with siblings, and reading. Love my family and friends (and hanging with them!) and am so grateful for this life I've been blessed with. A little bit quirky and definitely love to laugh. Most of all though, I love Jesus. Want to know more? Head on over to my about me page. But for some random facts, well, read on...;)

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

Passionate -- my mom says. I think I agree. :)

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?

Perhaps I'm lame in the fact that I'm not a big celeb fan -- ha! However, I guess if I saw anyone from Food Network, I might freak a bit...;)

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

I've come to the conclusion that I don't have a favorite blogger. I have many bloggers that I love and for many different reasons (you can check the complete list out here). But usually, authenticity, good writing, and photography draw me in. And if you take pretty pictures of food, I might stay. ;)

What is your comfort food/drink?

Drink: Coffee or a big 'ol cup of White Chai. That's right, I'm talking Teavana! ;) And for Food: Probably a bowl of Moose Tracks Ice Cream. Or Orange chicken. Or egrolls. Or pasta fresca. Or...well, I kinda just like food. ;)

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

I'm double-jointed in my toes on my right foot. Weird? Maybe. Random? Yes!

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?

Well, I would really love to shoot a wedding or take engagement shots OR do some mission photography.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

Uhhhhm...probably a wide mix of all of 'em. I love watching a good story unfold and if it's funny at times and there's some clean romance along with some jaw-dropping action, then I'm sold!

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

My favorite AUTHORS are Jane Austen, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Montgomery, Lois Lowry, Ted Dekker, and Shannon Hale. But for genres...I love fantasy. After that, I enjoy sci-fi, historical fiction, devotionals (or Christian books on various subjects) and I admit it: I read my XHTML/CSS book for fun. Yeahhh...;)

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

I'm so bad with this genre stuff -- ha! I like Christian Rock and Pop, Big Band, Jazz, Swing, Classical, and a little country thrown in for good measure -- but not too much!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

Presents for my family first -- new clothes, toys, books, games, furniture, maybe a new house. ;) And then after that, I'd buy a Canon MKD 5 II, a bunch of lenses, a Mac, and then go on a shopping spree (clothes and furniture -- that's right, I'm talking Ikea, Kohls, and Anthropologie! ;) Then I'd donate a lot of it to our church/various missions or organizations I believed in. And then into my college fund. :)

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

When I'm irritated, I can be snippy. Need to work on pleasant words even when I don't feel like taking the time to be kind! And I bite my nails. Really ragged. I know. Working on that...

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

I love MN, but probably New Zealand or Italy.

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or some perform some other strange feat?

I don't really have any strange talents, unless you count being able to do the splits...but that's pretty normal for a dancer. I suppose it all depends on your definition of strange...

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).

I was tempted to skip this one. ;) Probably anything artsy -- writing, photography, singing, and dancing.

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

It's sounds really crazy, but I love walking into Menards and smelling the wood. Seriously. It probably stems from days spent working with my dad -- building decks or laying tile or painting walls. But yeah. That sawdusty smell is better than any perfume. Ahhh...so good.

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?

Usually talked more, but it depends on the event.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

Probably still Kohls. Ha! ;)

What is your greatest fear?

I hate needles, blood, and anything having to do with a blooddraw.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Ask me when I'm ninety. Then I'll have a better idea. But for now...would probably say that leading worship for our church's youth retreat (along with my really good friends, Alex, Jake, Ryan, and Seth). That was a pretty big milestone and definitely a huge blessing.

What are your favorite animals?

I'm kinda an animal-not-carer. I don't dislike them, but I don't like them either, really. Though, I definitely admire the beauty of wild cats and I love the bright splashes of color on several types of birds.

Are you a hopeless romantic?

Yes. Definitely, completely, yes. :)

What movie or book character can you most relate to?

Anne Shirley -- my mom just yelled a great, "YES -- Anne Shirley, totally."



Well, that was fun! Head over and link your blog up -- and then leave a comment. I'd love to come and check out your site too! :) And I can't wait to read YOUR answers. Perhaps in the midst of all this spring cheer, the temperature will get up to forty here in Minnesoooooota...;)

Much Love.
Hannah

[ reflections ] my gramma and boppy's house.

After ballet on Saturday, when the world was cold and the winds fierce, we headed to my mom's parents.

Fifteen minutes away from us, family days at their house are usually the highlight of our weeks. Aunts, Uncle, Cousin, and my family all gather at their house to spend the day together -- playing games, eating food, watching movies (or foodnetwork), reading, napping, laughing, and just enjoying the time we can spend as a family.


On Saturday, several members of my family were playing games, others were reading, gramma was cooking, and a few more were watching a movie.

After reading a couple chapters of my book, I glanced to my camera bag, sitting still and snug against the wall, unzipped it, and picked my camera up, slipping the strap around my neck.


can you guess who that little baby is? ahuh. that was me. :)
I love my grandma's house. It has character. It holds memories. It contains love. And light.

And I wanted to take pictures of what I love.

(which reminds me...I'm a bit inspired right now -- have a few ideas rolling around in my head. If anything comes from them, I'll let you know where they ended up.)

So these are a few photos of my grandma's house.

Because I want to remember it forever, when memories grow dim and eye sight fades, I'll be an old-wrinkled lady peering at a few snapshots I took with my fourteen year-old eyes.

Much love.
Hannah

In the midst.

On Sunday we had a snowstorm, of a sort. For Minnesota, it's not unexpected, but after having a few days in the forties, we had gotten used to the warm weather. The snow fell in soft flurries and then the wind picked up and blew the snow wildly around. Ice glazed the roads and a gray gloom was cast over the world, not unlike the one that had just recently cleared up.

It was dismal and gray and we were all tired of having snow days.

But despite the fact that it was still snowing, early Monday morning and mid-afternoon looked like this.


The snow did pick up later on and the roads got pretty bad, but for a few hours, it was soft and peaceful outside, the world once again embracing the cold touch of winter.

And while all the world was white, inside, we were snug and warm. We had the day off and it was spent doing happy things -- the playing of games, making of tea, drinking of izzes (a treat!) and simply, the enjoying of being together. Laughing, loving, and living.



In the midst of the snowstorm. Despite the chill outside, inside it was warm and toasty. If I was fond of cheesy metaphors, I might have said that the warmth was nowhere near to the joy in our hearts. But I'll leave it at that.


And today, the sky is a marvelous blue and, despite the cold, it's a good day. Just another chance to enjoy winter coats and woolen mittens. School is almost completed, our home is clean, nearly everyone is healthy, and the house speaks of quiet contentment and joys falling softly, like the white white snow.

I'll take it.

( collaboration #1 )

My mom and I are starting a new thing. Inspired by the wonderful Ruffles and Light, we'll be choosing a new word and creating a photo collaboration based on that word every Wednesday. I'm excited about it. It should be be interesting to see how we each interpret the word -- because neither of us gets to see the each other's photo until Wed. This week? (it's up a bit early because I couldn't wait to share. Andddd....I wanted to beat my mom to posting -- ha! just kidding. Maybe. ;))

Color.

Top : Hannah
Bottom : Rachel

It's not a meme or a linkup. Just a new word and two new photos every week. If you ever have a suggestion for a new word, leave a comment! Make sure to check out her blog and leave a comment about her photo there as well! :)

Much Love.
Hannah

Thursday.

The weather was absolutely beautiful on Thursday. In fact, it's been gorgeous every day this past week. Forty degrees in February is a welcome change from the frigid temperatures of ten (or more) below zero. So thankful for the good weather -- how often do we have lovely weather and forget to say thank you, but when it's awful outside, we're ready to complain? Something that I'm trying to work on, especially with my grace gifts. But back to the weather...

Gracie had a tea-party to go to on Thursday, and when she got back, my mom said, "Hannah, today would be perfect for pictures." The snow was melting, the sun was shining, and a brisk breeze blew wafts of lovely fresh air throughout the neighborhood.



After pulling Grace away from her plate of partly-eaten pizza rolls, we ran outside and went into the backyard to take a few photos. She shed her large, pink puffy coat and smiled in her dress. It was a bit chilly because of the winds, but she bore the temperature bravely. ;)



We call Grace the pixie of the family -- she's a little bit of a fairy, with her pointed chin, shining eyes, and little elfin ears.


If we lived in Medieval times, she'd be the one dressed in robes of white, a circlet of silver on her head and a gleam in her eyes. A mysterious little laugher. Because she always has something to say and you'll rarely ever find her not laughing...:)

After a half an hour or so of laughing and taking many many photos, my camera beeped full and my frozen fingers said that it was time to go inside.


She's probably the only one in the family who looks adorable in braids.


That's my little sister Grace. A laugher, lover, dreamer, dancer, silly-saying-er, loyal-friend, devoted-big-sister, adorable-little-sister, absolutely sweet gal. And I love her.


Much love.
Hannah

slushday's are for...

reading + snacking on fruit


the grass beginning to show


making snowmen




taking photos



cleaning and redecorating


footprints in the snow



sunsets


snowboots


attempts at sledding



making tea


(and) the snow melting.


Which makes me excited because that means that...

Spring is coming!

Which is cause enough for celebration. No more -22 degree weather (at least I hope not...;))

Blessings on the beginning of your week!

Much love.
Hannah